Russia, Japan should share views on topical problems

MOSCOW, July 23 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia and Japan should share views on
topical problems, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said at a
meeting with his Japanese counterpart Kenichiro Sasae here on Friday.
"I believe that Russian-Japanese strategic dialogue is very important
now. The current consultations are timely," the Russian high-ranking
diplomat said. "We are planning to discuss several issues on topical
problems, some of them concern both sides, while the others unite us,"
Ryabkov said. The diplomat recalled that the Japanese delegation met with
Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Denisov on Thursday and will
meet with officials of the Russian Defence Ministry on Friday.
For his part, Kenichiro Sasae noted, "It is high time to share
concrete views within the strategic dialogue." "Russia is an important
partner for Japan and for the whole Asia-Pacific region," he said. "We
would like to make some progress not only in economy, but also in
politics," the Japanese diplomat said. "Japan gives close attention to
President Dmitry Medvedev's recent speech at a meeting of ambassadors in
Moscow," he underlined. Kenichiro Sasae noted that in this speech Japan
was mentioned as Russia's strategic partner. "We consider it very
important," the Japanese diplomat underlined.
-0-baz/mil